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252-0834-00L 4 Credits BSC , DR , MSC , WBZ D-BSSE , D-MATH , D-INFK , D-ITET , D-ARCH , D-MAVT , D-PHYS
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Information Systems for Engineers

Lecturers & Examiners: Dr. Ghislain Fourny
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-06-01 11:30:51

Abstract

This course provides the basics of relational databases from the perspective of the user.We will discover why tables are so incredibly powerful to express relations, learn the SQL query language, and how to make the most of it. The course also covers support for data cubes (analytics).

Objective

Do you want to be able to query your own data productively and efficiently in your future semester projects, bachelor's thesis, master thesis, or PhD thesis? Are you looking for something beyond the Python+Pandas hype? This courses teaches you how to do so as well as the dos and don'ts. This lesson is complementary with Big Data for Engineers as they cover different time periods of database history and practices -- you can take them in any order, even though it might be more enjoyable to take this lecture first. After visiting this course, you will be capable to: 1. Explain, in the big picture, how a relational database works and what it can do in your own words. 2. Explain the relational data model (tables, rows, attributes, primary keys, foreign keys), formally and informally, including the relational algebra operators (select, project, rename, all kinds of joins, division, cartesian product, union, intersection, etc). 3. Perform non-trivial reading SQL queries on existing relational databases, as well as insert new data, update and delete existing data. 4. Design new schemas to store data in accordance to the real world's constraints, such as relationship cardinality 5. Explain what bad design is and why it matters. 6. Adapt and improve an existing schema to make it more robust against anomalies, thanks to a very good theoretical knowledge of what is called "normal forms". 7. Understand how indices work (hash indices, B-trees), how they are implemented, and how to use them to make queries faster. 8. Access an existing relational database from a host language such as Java, using bridges such as JDBC. 9. Explain what data independence is all about and didn't age a bit since the 1970s. 10. Explain, in the big picture, how a relational database is physically implemented. 11. Know and deal with the natural syntax for relational data, CSV. 12. Explain the data cube model including slicing and dicing. 13. Store data cubes in a relational database. 14. Map cube queries to SQL. 15. Slice and dice cubes in a UI. And of course, you will think that tables are the most wonderful object in the world.

Content

Using a relational database ================= 1. Introduction 2. The relational model 3. Data definition with SQL 4. The relational algebra 5. Queries with SQL Taking a relational database to the next level ================= 6. Database design theory 7. Databases and host languages 8. Databases and host languages 9. Indices and optimization 10. Database architecture and storage Analytics on top of a relational database ================= 12. Data cubes Outlook ================= 13. Outlook

Resources

Literature

- Lecture material (slides). - Book: "Database Systems: The Complete Book", H. Garcia-Molina, J.D. Ullman, J. Widom (It is not required to buy the book, as the library has it)

Learning Materials (Links)

General Information

Language
English
Levels
BSC , DR , MSC , WBZ
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
session examination
Mode
written 180 minutes
Aids
General dictionaries are allowed. This includes general English dictionaries (with word definitions) as well as general bilingual dictionaries (English <-> other language). Specialized dictionaries are not allowed. Dictionaries cannot be annotated by hand.
Digital
The exam takes place on devices provided by ETH Zurich.
Working on the exercises is rewarded in the sense of ETH's continuous performance assessment with up to 0.25 bonus points. In principle, it is expected that students solve all exercises. In order to control this, the assignments will be collected in 3 weeks of the semester, announced in advance. Those who successfully solve ast least 2 of these 3 weeks of assignments get 0.25 extra points at the exam.

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture Information Systems for Engineers
  • Fri 10:15-12:00 (HG E 5)
2 h weekly
exercise Information Systems for Engineers
Groups are selected in myStudies.
  • Mon 15:15-16:00 (HG D 3.1)
  • Mon 15:15-16:00 (HG D 3.3)
  • Fri 16:15-17:00 (CAB G 52)
  • Fri 16:15-17:00 (CAB G 56)
  • Fri 16:15-17:00 (CAB G 57)
  • Fri 16:15-17:00 (CHN F 42)
  • Fri 16:15-17:00 (LFW C 4)
1 h weekly

Offered In